Gun arrest made during festival Saturday

Grand Haven Tribune ^ | 4 August, 2008 | NA

[marktwain]

A man was arrested for carrying a gun in the open in the moments leading up to the Coast Guard Festival's fireworks display Saturday night.

The man was carrying a Glock 40 handgun in a holster at his side in downtown Grand Haven, said Lt. Mark Reiss of the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety. The man was disarmed by the officers, arrested on a misdemeanor, issued a 90-day appearance ticket and allowed to leave, Reiss said. His weapon was also confiscated by police.

While Michigan law allows carrying concealed weapons with a permit, Grand Haven has a local ordinance prohibiting openly possessing and carrying dangerous weapons in public, Reiss said. People carrying weapons can be frightening and the department received several verbal complaints about the man, Reiss said.

"It is very dangerous and very frightening to spectators down there," Reiss said. "It simply isn't a place to have a gun."

[marktwain]

On the KABA site, it was noted that Michigan has a premption law to prohibit local gun ordinances. If that applies in this case, it looks like a clear violation of civil rights under color of law case.

[marktwain]

Here is a link to opencarry.org. They have a detailed examination of Michigan law in this regard. It appears that Grand Haven is in deep doo-doo.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum30/13328.html

[PubliusMM]

Another affront to Constitutional protections, IMO...

[magslinger]

ping

[Bulldawg Fan]

Local law doesnt trump state law, even in Michigan. Time to get a good lawyer.

[doodad]

Clear violation of the second amendment and our God given rights.

[magslinger]

"It is very dangerous and very frightening to spectators down there," Reiss said. "It simply isn't a place to have a gun."

That being the case, I really admire the unarmed officers making the arrest of an armed citizen going about his lawful business.

Of course /sarc

[Tunehead54]

Bump! ;-)

[MrBambaLaMamba]

I’m frightened simply by reading this!

Guns in the hands of freeman - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

THINK OF THE CHILDREN?????????????????????

[Beagle8U]

You are correct. The state law overrides any city ordinance.

Open carry is legal statewide in MI.

[ikka]

Yes everyone knows you can shoot down an airliner in the sky with a Glock! Or use it to shoot once at a car door, whereupon the car will instantly explode in a huge fireball!

[Tennessee Nana]

OK...which FReeper was this ?????

[mad_as_he$$]

Was not me!! I am safe in Nevada where I open carry all the time. Eaker where you in Michigan?

[mad_as_he$$]

where=were - yes dear more coffee....

[Steve0113]

This is why I wouldn’t open carry. Too many cops don’t know or care that it’s legal.

[marktwain]

“This is why I wouldn’t open carry. Too many cops don’t know or care that it’s legal.”

---

For me, education of the police is important. All the more reason to open carry. If they cannot take the time to understand the law, a $10,000 settlement and some mandatory training ought to help.

[Sender]

Police ought to appreciate open carry. That way they know who legally has a gun. Criminals don't open carry. I don't even mind if an officer asks to see my carry permit, I will gladly show it to him.

As for the public who are "frightened" whenever they see anyone carrying a gun legally, they are going to have to be reeducated.

[laker_dad]

bump for later

[Eaker]

I ain’t tellin’!

Prolly Squantos or humblegunner anyway .............

[Steve0113]

For me, education of the police is important.

Sure it is. But I'd have to get several throw-away guns, since the cops are going to confiscate what I'm carrying.